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Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Free Summer Activities for School Age Children At Home In School and Outdoors

Fun Summer Activities for Homeschooling, Daycare Providers, Parents, and Summer School Programs


fun free summer activities for school age kids outdoor summer school

As the school year winds down and summer approaches, homeschooling parents, daycare providers, and summer school teachers are seeking ways to keep students engaged and motivated. What better way to bridge the gap between learning and leisure than through summer-themed educational activities? In this blog post, I will explore a range of engaging ideas that can be incorporated into both the classroom and community, ensuring a fruitful and enjoyable summer learning experience for students.


Explore Nature's Classroom:

Take advantage of the beautiful weather and explore the wonders of nature. Plan field trips to local parks, botanical gardens, or nature reserves. Encourage students to observe and document plants, insects, and animals they encounter. Have them create nature journals or sketchbooks to record their findings, and encourage discussions about the importance of environmental conservation.


free outdoor scavenger hunt for summer school activities


Dive into Literature:

Summer is the perfect time to dive into captivating stories. Select a collection of summer-themed books and novels that align with your students' reading levels and interests. Organize reading circles where students can discuss their favorite parts, characters, or themes. Encourage them to create book reviews, write alternative endings, or even adapt their favorite stories into short plays or skits.


Free Outdoor Scavenger Hunt for Summer School Activities


Embrace Science and Math in the Kitchen:

Cooking and baking provide ample opportunities for hands-on learning. Design a series of summer-themed recipes that integrate math and science concepts. From measuring ingredients to understanding chemical reactions during baking, students can explore fractions, ratios, and the science behind their favorite dishes. Encourage them to create recipe cards, complete with step-by-step instructions and nutritional information.


special education math cooking life skills


Community Service Projects:

Engage students in meaningful community service projects that align with summer themes. For instance, organize a beach clean-up day or collaborate with a local gardening initiative to help maintain community gardens. By participating in such activities, students learn about social responsibility and gain a sense of accomplishment, all while enjoying the summer sunshine.

(Award Winning Book)

Citizenship Book for Kids Community Service Projects


Cultural Exploration:

Summer is a great time to explore various cultures and traditions from around the world. Choose a different country or region each week and explore its unique customs, history, and traditions. Students can create presentations, prepare traditional foods, or even learn a few phrases in the local language. This activity fosters global awareness and encourages appreciation for diversity.


Free Country Research project template vocabulary


Outdoor Science Experiments:

Take science lessons outside! Engage students in outdoor experiments that explore natural phenomena. For example, conduct experiments on the properties of water by setting up a water station where students can observe evaporation, condensation, and even make their own rain gauges. Additionally, teach them about solar energy by building simple solar ovens to cook a summer snack like s'mores.


free sink or float activity for preschool kindergarten special education

Arts and Crafts Galore:

Encourage creativity and artistic expression by organizing summer-themed arts and crafts sessions. Students can create sun catchers, design their own beach-themed t-shirts, or paint seashells. Incorporate elements of art history or introduce famous artists who were inspired by summer landscapes. This activity stimulates imagination and enhances fine motor skills.


spring summer Science Craft Activity


With these engaging summer-themed activities, homeschooling parents and summer school teachers can ensure a productive and enjoyable learning experience during the summer break. By embracing the outdoors, literature, science, and art, students can continue their educational journey while exploring the world around them. Remember, learning can be fun and immersive, even during the sunny days of summer. So, let's make this season an unforgettable one filled with knowledge, curiosity, and adventure!

Please feel free to message me with any requests or comments.


Thank you so much!

❤️ Shelly Anton

Promoting Success for You and Your Students!



Shelly Anton is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. ** This means there are Amazon affiliate links in these blog posts. This does not mean you pay a dime more when you purchase a product through the link. It just means I am trying to save you valuable teacher time by making it easier for you to find valuable resources for your students, and I earn a few cents for my research and time. Thank you for all you do for kids!

special education summer school activities


Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Unleashing the Educational Power of Scavenger Hunts: A Guide for Teachers and Parents

Indoor and Outdoor Scavenger Hunts for Kids

Science, Math, Reading, Nature, and More!

Treasure Hunt Summer School Activities


Scavenger hunts are more than just a thrilling adventure for students; they provide valuable learning opportunities that engage young minds and foster a sense of exploration. In this blog post, I'll delve into the educational value of indoor and outdoor scavenger hunt checklists. We'll explore a variety of exciting scavenger hunt themes based on one of my most popular resources found HERE, including Wilderness Explorer, Math All Around, Reading Safari, and more. Please note that these scavengers are now editable via a CANVA template.

Indoor and Outdoor Scavenger Hunts for Kids


Want to try before you buy? 

Please click HERE for a free school supplies scavenger hunt, or click HERE for a free outdoor scavenger hunt.





Let's discover how the activities in the first resource above can benefit your students' development and ignite their love for learning!

Wilderness Explorer: The Wilderness Explorer scavenger hunt takes your students on an outdoor journey, connecting them with nature and promoting environmental awareness. As they search for specific plants, animals, or natural landmarks, 
your students develop observation skills, learn about biodiversity, and enhance their appreciation for the natural world.

Indoor Adventure: Indoor Adventure scavenger hunts are perfect for rainy days or classroom settings. By searching for specific objects or clues indoors, 
your students enhance their visual discrimination skills, practice following instructions, and develop critical thinking abilities. These hunts can be customized to reinforce various topics or concepts, making learning engaging and interactive.

Math All Around: Math All Around scavenger hunts transform math into a real-world adventure. By searching for mathematical concepts, such as shapes, patterns, or measurements, 
your students practice applying mathematical knowledge in everyday contexts. These hunts promote problem-solving skills, strengthen number sense, and make math exciting and tangible.

Science All Around: Science All Around scavenger hunts ignite 
your students' curiosity and foster scientific inquiry. These hunts stimulate knowledge and understanding of science vocabulary terms and develop observation skills.

Reading Safari: Reading Safari scavenger hunts make reading an adventure! Your students search for specific books, genres, or literary elements within a library or classroom. These hunts promote literacy skills, encourage independent reading, and cultivate a love for books and storytelling.

Color Craze Challenge: Color Craze Challenge scavenger hunts help 
your students develop color recognition and visual discrimination skills. By searching for specific colors in their environment, students enhance their ability to identify and categorize hues, strengthening their visual perception abilities.

Shape Sleuth Adventure: Shape Sleuth Adventure scavenger hunts turn shape recognition into an exciting quest. Your students search for objects or items with specific shapes, honing their geometry skills and visual-spatial understanding. These hunts enhance shape identification and promote critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Schoolwide Challenge: Schoolwide Challenge scavenger hunts encourage collaboration and school spirit. By involving the entire school community, students work together to foster teamwork, communication skills, and a sense of belonging.

Shop ‘Til You Drop: Shop 'Til You Drop scavenger hunts provide a practical learning experience. Your students navigate stores or markets, searching for specific items or practicing money skills. These hunts develop financial literacy, decision-making abilities, and enhance real-world problem-solving skills.

Playground Explorer: Playground Explorer scavenger hunts combine physical activity with cognitive engagement. Students search for specific playground equipment, engage in active play, and enhance their gross motor skills while building observation and spatial awareness abilities.

How about one more freebie? Just right click to save the image.
outdoor science butterfly scavenger hunt
Scavenger hunts offer a wealth of educational benefits, stimulating students' curiosity, and making learning enjoyable. Whether indoors or outdoors, these activities provide opportunities for students to explore, problem-solve, collaborate, and apply their knowledge in real-world contexts. By incorporating various scavenger hunt themes like Math All Around, Reading Safari, or Wilderness Explorer, we can create exciting learning experiences that cater to students' diverse interests and learning styles.

Teachers and parents can leverage scavenger hunts to enhance academic skills, promote critical thinking, foster social interaction, and nurture a sense of adventure. By adapting the scavenger hunt themes to align with specific subjects or learning objectives, educators can seamlessly integrate these activities into their curriculum, making learning more engaging and memorable.

tricks and tips for scavenger hunts in the classroom

To maximize the educational value of scavenger hunts, consider the following tips:

Set Clear Objectives: Determine the learning outcomes you want to achieve through the scavenger hunt. Align the hunt with specific skills or knowledge you want 
students to develop or reinforce.

Customize for Different Age Groups: Tailor the complexity and scope of the scavenger hunt to suit the age and developmental level of the 
students participating. Provide age-appropriate challenges and tasks that encourage growth and success.

Incorporate Collaboration: Encourage teamwork and collaboration by assigning 
students to pairs or small groups. This fosters communication, cooperation, and the sharing of ideas, creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

Integrate Technology: Incorporate technology tools like QR codes, online resources, or educational apps to add an interactive and digital component to the scavenger hunt. This integration can enhance engagement and provide additional learning opportunities.

Reflect and Debrief: Conclude the scavenger hunt with a reflection session where 
students can share their experiences, discoveries, and challenges. This allows for deeper understanding, critical thinking, and the opportunity to connect the activity to broader concepts or real-life applications.

Remember, safety should always be a top priority. Ensure that the scavenger hunt takes place in a secure environment, with appropriate supervision and consideration for any potential hazards.

Scavenger hunts offer a refreshing alternative to traditional teaching methods, inspiring a love for learning, promoting active participation, and nurturing 
students' natural curiosity. By incorporating a variety of engaging scavenger hunt themes like Schoolwide Challenge, Shape Sleuth Adventure, or Reading Safari, we can create dynamic and interactive educational experiences that leave a lasting impact on students' academic journey.

So, let the adventure begin! Explore the endless possibilities of scavenger hunts, unleash your creativity, and witness the joy and excitement that these activities bring to 
students' education.

Happy hunting!

Please feel free to message me with any requests or comments.


Thank you so much!

❤️ Shelly Anton

Promoting Success for You and Your Students!



Shelly Anton is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. ** This means there are Amazon affiliate links in these blog posts. This does not mean you pay a dime more when you purchase a product through the link. It just means I am trying to save you valuable teacher time by making it easier for you to find valuable resources for your students, and I earn a few cents for my research and time. Thank you for all you do for kids!

summer school and back to school activities for kids



Monday, May 22, 2023

Country Research Project for Kids - Free Template Worksheets

If you are planning and preparing for a country research project for your 4th, 5th, or 6th grade students, the printable and digital PDF resources and information in this teacher blog post will be very helpful.

Country Research Project Template Worksheets for any country


First, let's start with a free activity to review some essential vocabulary words prior to your students starting the project. Please click HERE for this free download.

Vocabulary words in this download include:
  1. multiculturalism
  2. acceptance
  3. stereotype
  4. ethnocentrism
  5. globalization
  6. inclusion
  7. acculturation
  8. pluralism
  9. diversity
  10. multilingual
  11. prejudice
  12. heritage
  13. assimilation
  14. tolerance
  15. empathy
  16. intercultural
  17. ethnicity
  18. mosaic
  19. discrimination
  20. symbols
I also offer a fully comprehensive country research project resource that includes templates, worksheets, report writing, presentations, rubrics, and more. Please click HERE to check it out.